Community Listed Among Victims in Salon Shooting Trial

In a rare legal maneuver, prosecutors will argue that the man accused of walking into a Seal Beach salon and murdering eight people deserves the death penalty, in part, because the entire community was victimized by the horrendousness of that crime.

The Orange County Register obtained court documents outlining the Orange County District Attorney’s plans to include the community among the victims identified in the penalty phase of alleged shooter Scott Evans Dekraai’s trial.

According to the newspaper, the move is based on a

“precedent-setting California Supreme Court case where prosecutors in Northern California argued for the death penalty in part because the community of Pleasanton erected a bronze statue of a murder victim prior to the trial of her killer.”

The Orange County Register also quotes Assistant District Attorney Dan Wagner describing Dekraai’s actions as having a “high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness.”

Prosecutors say DeKraai planned the murders, donning a bullet-proof vest and filling his pockets with extra guns and ammo before he walked into Salon Meritage, where is ex-wife worked. They accuse him of executing her and methodically shooting seven others at close range before walking out into the parking lot and randomly killing one man who sat nearby in his parked SUV.

Dekraai, was arrested moments later and immediately confessed, police say.

According to a search warrant affidavit, Dekraai told the arresting officer minutes after the shootings, "I know what I did.''  

Police say,  Dekraai planned the murders after an argument with his ex-wife, hair stylist Michelle Fournier.

"Dekraai then drove to Bolsa Chica State Beach,'' according to the affidavit. "When Dekraai got to the beach, he got out of the vehicle, sat on the beach and pondered shooting his wife.''  

Dekraai drove to the Salon Meritage, 500 Pacific Coast Highway, about 1:20 p.m.

"Dekraai immediately walked up to Fournier and shot her multiple times,'' according to the search warrant paperwork. "Dekraai then shot a second female client whom he knew as Christy. Dekraai stated that Christy had recently testified against him in a child custody dispute.''

Christy Wilson, 47, was killed in the attack.  

"Dekraai then stated that the male owner of the salon [Fannin] ran up to him armed with scissors so Dekraai shot him at the front door,'' according to the search warrant.  "Dekraai then stated he started shooting random people inside the salon because he looked at them as collateral damage,'' according to the court papers.

DeKraai’s trial is set for October. He reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder, and his attorneys have hinted that an insanity defense or change of venue motion could be presented at trial. If he is convicted, statements made by surviving victims, their family members and witnesses could testify in the penalty phase of the trial.

The day after the massacre, thousands attended a candlelight vigil in memory of the victims. Many students, witnesses and community members underwent post traumatic stress counseling. And today, the city is planning a permanent memorial for the victims.

This month, marked the six-month anniversary of the shooting.

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN THE COMMENTS

So many of us where profoundly affected by the tragedy. Have things gone back to normal for you? What do you feel when you drive past the salon or read news stories about the shooting?